An AIDA Cruises ship collided with the dock at the Steinwerder Cruise Terminal at the port of Hamburg on the morning of December 8, causing minor damage to its hull.
The AIDAbella had completed a 26-day Caribbean sailing and was returning to its homeport. The ship’s next cruise was scheduled to depart that same evening, but was postponed pending technical and safety inspections.
Collision Causes Delay in Upcoming Cruise
While the ramming of the quay in Hamburg caused minor damage to AIDAbella, including dents, paint scratches, and damage to the stern, AIDA Cruises said a technical inspection will be required before the 2,500-guest ship can resume its schedule.
A statement from AIDA Cruises said, “For Aida Cruises, the safety of all guests and crew members is always our top priority.”
There were no injuries as a result of the collision. According to reports, the damage is centered on the stern, to the right of the ship’s name, where a dent and a crack can be seen. Aida Cruises said it was likely a technical issue caused the incident and that the AIDAbella will be repaired immediately following its inspection.
The tentative departure date for the ship’s next cruise, a 43-day Caribbean voyage, is December 11. AIDAbella entered service in 2008 and was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.
The 13-deck AIDAbella is a sister ship to the AIDAdiva and AIDAluna. It primarily serves the German market. The ship has 11 cabin categories and several dining venues, including Pizzeria Mare, Buffalo Steak House, Sushi Bar and Worldwide Restaurant.
It also has three buffet restaurants serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ship has a spa, and offers free sports instruction classes. The AIDAbella was last renovated in 2018.
Other Mishaps From 2022
Cruise ship accidents are not unusual, with at least a handful happening each year. Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas had a mishap on December 1 when a lifeboat was accidentally dropped into the water, apparently during a crew training exercise. No one was injured. The ship was sailing a 10-day South Pacific cruise.
In September, a Viking Cruises’ river ship, the Viking Kvasir, collided with a cargo ship on the Rhine River while the cruise ship was traveling from Antwerp to Amsterdam. There were minor injuries reported by the crew and guests.
In July 2022, a fishing boat rammed Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl off Nantucket, as the ship made its way to the Bahamas. One person on the fishing boat had minor injuries.
